This was a very intense and powerful movie. Heath Ledger's performance was stellar. He played the perfect sociopath: apathetic, ruthless, and never thinks about his actions. The feeling of helplessness both from the citizens of Gotham and from Bruce Wayne are palpable while watching this film. Although this movie is a wonderful adventure for adults, it is not at all appropriate for children. I would not recommend parents bring any children under 13 to see this film. There are some graphic images and intense scenes that are frightening to young children. There was a five-year-old seated behind me who began crying very early on in the film and spent the rest of the movie sitting in his mother's lap with his ears covered and his head buried.